GAA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR GLOBAL AQUACULTURE INNOVATION AWARD

GAA accepting applications for Global Aquaculture Innovation Award, sponsored by Preferred Freezer Services. In 2012, GAA established the competition to recognize individuals and companies finding new solutions to the key challenges facing aquaculture.

What’s an aquaculture innovation?

Examples include technologies that mitigate the occurrence of animal diseases or parasites, or that reduce or eliminate the use of antibiotics to treat animals; technologies that improve production efficiencies at the hatchery or farm levels while mitigating environmental impact; advances in offshore or land-based recirculation technologies; novel feed ingredients; reductions in carbon footprint through improved energy efficiency or regeneration; and social programs designed to improve living and working conditions at the farm or processing levels.

Who is eligible to apply?

Both individuals and companies performing activities related to aquaculture may submit applications. Third parties may also submit an application on behalf of an individual and company.

Who are the judges?

The competition is coordinated by GAA Standards Coordinator Dan Lee. The judges include Lee, GAA President George Chamberlain and GAA Standards Oversight Committee members Alejandro Buschmann of i-mar Research and the Development Center of Coastal Resources and Environments, Dawn Purchase of the Marine Conservation Society and Michael Tlusty of the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

What’s the prize? The three finalists will be invited (all expenses paid) to GAA’s GOAL 2019 conference in Chennai, India, from Oct. 21 to 24 to present their innovation. The finalists will also be featured in GAA’s Global Aquaculture Advocate.

How do I apply?

To apply, visit the competition’s webpage, download the application form, fill it out in its entirety, and email it to Dan Lee at dan.lee@aquaculturealliance.org and Steven Hedlund at steven.hedlund@aquaculturealliance.org. The application deadline is June 30.